//------------------------------// // Dream Not of What You Are // Story: When Two Are One // by Rigoo //------------------------------// A cold wind whipped between the trees of the Everfree, whistling sinisterly as it blew through the night. It carried with it the howls of timberwolves, which seemed to come from all directions at once. The forest was nearly pitch black, the leafy canopy obscuring what little light might come from the moon and stars. It was a dire scene for the stallion trapped inside. His heart raced as he galloped along the uneven paths, and he prayed he didn't trip on any of the many gnarled roots hiding in the darkness. If he fell here, he might not get back up again. There was a constant rustling behind him, and he swore it grew louder every second. His legs were tired, but he had no choice but to keep running. His only hope was to reach Ponyville before his pursuers. Or so he believed. Luna watched the stallion from the darkness, her brow furrowed. The Everfree was a dangerous place at the best of times, but at night it was far worse. It was a frequent setting for the nightmares of foals, but it wasn't uncommon for it to appear in those of adults as well. This poor stallion was far from the first she had found in such a state, and he wouldn't be the last. But that didn't mean he wasn't important. No subject of hers would be left to suffer a dream like this if she had anything to say about it. Her horn lit atop her head, and the dream changed around her. The sinister trees and roots of the Everfree Forest sank into the ground, and cozy cream-colored houses with thatched roofs emerged in their place. The sun rose high into the sky, and the town of Ponyville came to life beneath it. The stallion's desperate gallop slowed to lively trot, and a smile overtook his face. Luna silently followed him as he navigated the busy streets, leading himself to what was certainly his personal home. He walked inside where his wife and foal were waiting for him. "Daddy!" called his daughter, as she rushed forward to hug him. "Thank goodness, you're alright!" cried his wife, as she joined in the embrace. "I can hardly believe it myself," he said, smiling warmly. "Somepony must have been watching out for me tonight." Luna felt a warmth in her chest on hearing his words. The stallion couldn't see her, and he had no idea that she actually had been watching over him, but that was fine with Luna. Gratitude in any form was a blessing, even if she couldn't receive it face to face. She had delivered another happy ending to her subjects, surely that was reward enough. It was certainly more than she deserved. A few moments later, the stallion vanished. The house began to fade away into nothing, and the town disappeared soon after. Luna found herself in the space between dreams, which manifested as seemingly endless lines of doorways. The one in front of her was dim and lifeless, as were most of the doors she could see. Those that weren't didn't stay bright for long. The dreams they led to were dying, as the ponies of Equestria awoke to her sister's dawn. There was no reason for her to stay here. As Luna opened her eyes, she was met with silence. Her favorite time of day had ended, and her least favorite had begun. She tried to savor the quiet of the morning, but she couldn't for long. Without anything to distract her, it didn't take long for the memories to come back. All too easily, the words spoken last night found their way back into her thoughts. They seeped into her mind, gently but firmly bogging her mood down. Their weight was a familiar pressure, a constant presence since her return from the moon. The sun continued to rise outside her window. Celestia had certainly made breakfast by now, it would be rude not to attend. With reluctance, she pulled herself from the bed and onto her hooves. Luna walked through the castle halls as she made her way to the royal dining room. Around her, the daily buzz of activity slowly manifested. Guards took up their posts, secretaries and nobles rushed to their appointments, and servants began their daily tasks. The Princess of the Night silently passed through it all, hardly drawing a glance from the inhabitants of the castle she supposedly helped rule. She made her way to the dining room and slipped through the door. “Good morning, sister!” Celestia was a welcome sight for Luna's sore eyes. She was seated before a feast of waffles and fruit, a comforting smile on her face. “How was your night?” Luna threw on a smile of her own as she closed the door behind her. “It was lovely. As lovely as every night since my return.” Her reply earned her a lingering gaze from Celestia. She held fast to her grin, hoping she looked convincing enough. “That's wonderful to hear.” At last, Celestia turned her attention back towards the feast. “Come, let us eat.” Luna sat down at the table, noting with joy that there was pineapple among the fare. The prickly but satisfying fruit had become a favorite of hers since her return. She levitated it to her plate and set to work on it with a knife. “How fare the dreams of our subjects?” “They fare well.” Her smile grew at the mention of her favorite subject. The only thing she had left. “Especially with me to guard over them.” “Find anything interesting in them?” Luna raised an eyebrow. “I hope you understand, sister, but I don't like to share the private thoughts and dreams of our subjects without good reason.” Celestia's mouth curled into a pout, and her wide eyes silently tugged at Luna's heartstrings. For a moment Luna debated telling her, but she had sworn long ago to keep her subject's dreams confidential. She couldn't violate that trust, not even for her sister. When it was clear she wasn't going to budge, Celestia sighed. “Well, it was worth a try.” Luna's frown slowly grew into an incredulous smile, before she and Celestia broke into laughter. Her older sister always knew just how to brighten her mood, she had always had a talent for talking with ponies. It was a skill Luna often envied. Eventually their laughter died down, and Celestia turned to her again. “Luna, there is something I wished to discuss with you,” she said, her eyes locking onto Luna's. “You remember Twilight Sparkle, yes? From Ponyville?” “Indeed,” she replied. “She was very smart and kind. Our first Nightmare Night celebration would not have been the same without her.” That last sentence could not be understated. Twilight Sparkle had single hoofedly saved Luna's first interaction with the Equestrian public. She was the closest thing Luna could think of to a friend. “I can tell much of your wisdom has rubbed off on her.” “Oh, you flatterer.” Celestia's blush was even sweeter than the pineapple. “Well, after how that night went, I thought the two of you should meet more often.” A quick bolt of fear ran through Luna's heart. She hoped it hadn't shown on her face, but she knew that wasn't likely. Celestia was just as good at reading ponies as she as at talking to them. “She has sent me quite a few letters since Nightmare Night, asking how you're doing.” Luna swallowed. “Has she, now?” “She's very interested in you.” Celestia regarded her slyly. “Whatever you two did on Nightmare Night seems to have stuck with her.” “Well, I was the only one to recognize her Starswirl the Bearded costume,” Luna admitted. “And she did help me learn to interact with modern ponies. We were quite close on that night.” Celestia nodded. “She's been studying friendship quite intently ever since she saved you. It's no surprise to me that she was able to help you fit in.” “Yes...” Luna struggled to maintain her smile. “She was quite knowledgeable.” “It seems to me you both get along well.” Celestia smiled at her. “I bet the two of you could be good friends.” “Well... Um...” Luna could feel her heart beating loudly in her chest. Celestia's expression grew worried. “Do you disagree?” “No! I just...” Luna's mind and heart tried to tear her in half while she stared into her sister's concerned eyes. She wasn't at all eager to meet with Twilight again, she could only imagine how embarrassing that would be. And yet, the thought of telling her sister no felt much worse. She had already caused Celestia so much grief in her life, she couldn't bear to hurt her more. “I guess I could meet with her again...” Celestia's smile returned. “Trust me, Luna, I'm certain the two of you will get along famously.” After breakfast, Luna returned to her room. She looked out her window to see Canterlot bathed in the morning sunlight. Tiny specks swarmed the streets, ready to take on their busy days. Luna wondered what that must feel like. The modern world of Equestria was designed for one princess, not two. Anything her sister could not do was delegated to her plethora of subordinates, and Luna couldn't just fire them and take their jobs. She wouldn't know how to do any of their work, anyway. There was no place for her in this castle. Luna sat at her desk, sparing a glance at the framed picture that sat upon it. It was of herself and Celestia, taken after her return. She was smiling in it, a genuine smile. Being saved by Twilight and forgiven by Celestia had felt like a dream come true. She had thought nothing could ever go wrong again. She shook her head and opened the book she had left on the desk. Equestria in the Year 600 A.A. One thousand years was a long time to be away from a nation. There was always more history for her to catch up on. Luna wished the day wasn't so long. Not out of malice; she had since come to terms with the balance of day and night. Luna wished the sun would set so the ponies of Equestria would dream. She could feel useful then. Dreams were the only happiness she had left in life. The little windows she had into the souls of ponies gave her joy like nothing else. Her cutie mark depicted the Moon and the night sky, but if Luna had a special talent, it was dreams. In dreams she could explore. She could see who ponies really were beyond their timid, angry exteriors. She could save them from their fears and give them happiness. She could pretend she was loved by more than just her sister. They had been the only comfort in her life a thousand years ago, and that hadn't changed since. In dreams Luna felt like she really was a princess. Unlike the rest of her life. Hello, Luna. How was your morning? Her melancholy mood was interrupted by the monster living in her head. “It was going just fine, until you arrived.” Luna focused on her book, trying to ignore the voice. You wound me. She could almost hear the eye roll. How was breakfast with dear sister? “It was... wonderful. As always.” Wonderful? You don't sound very sure. Luna sighed, her face falling into her hooves. “Why must you harass me this way?” I have only your best interests in mind, I assure you. How is our most cherished sibling?” “Celestia is well,” she murmured. “No thanks to us.” Speaking of which, what lie did you tell her today? Luna lifted her head. “Lie!?” You don't mean to say you told her the truth? the voice asked with mock surprise. About yourself? About me? “No... I didn't.” Then what did you tell her? “That I am well, and that I cherish every night I have on Equestria.” Ah, a half truth. Luna scowled. “What is that supposed to mean?” Come now, Luna, do you really think of yourself as 'well'? As much as she wanted to, Luna couldn't deny that. A healthy pony didn't mope about in a tower while her alter ego hounded her. “No, I suppose not.” A confession! You know, they say admitting you have a problem is the first step to fixing it. Luna couldn't stay seated anymore. She closed her book before getting up from her chair. “You are the problem, and that hasn't been a secret for centuries!” Now, now, the voice soothed. I know how we struggle with accepting responsibility, but you played a role in all this as well. It's up to the both of us to fix it. Luna paused in her pacing to roll her eyes. “And, pray tell, how would you of all ponies fix my well being?” By giving you a backbone for one. You sit in this castle day and night, lamenting how the world thinks of you and making yourself suffer. You'll never grow if you keep yourself trapped in isolation. We might as well have stayed on the moon. “And just where would you have me go?” Anywhere. You could always start with Canterlot. It is, quite literally, just outside our door. Luna looked to her window, the busy city still clearly visible through it. “Simply stroll through Canterlot? Have you forgotten our status? We would attract all sorts of attention.” Then wear a disguise if you must. You'll never be accepted by ponies until you learn to interact with them. “Why would I ever take your advice if I wanted to be accepted by ponies? You are the farthest thing from what they desire! They made an entire holiday to ridicule you.” Fine then. Stay here in your tower and hide from the world you wish you knew better. Dreams alone have gotten you this far, haven't they? “They have indeed gotten me this far. And as soon as the sun sets, I can go back to them and forget that this conversation ever happened.” Luna looked out her window again. Her sister's glowing star was still high in the sky. She closed the curtains and went back to her desk. Her horn cast a cool, blue glow on the book as she opened it again. Another day of reading was ahead of her. It couldn't be worse than the last hundred. Night finally settled on the land. Luna should have been meditating, preparing to escort the ponies of Equestria through their dreams. Instead, she stood in front of her mirror, running her eyes up and down her royal blue coat. Dark colored fur was rare for ponies, they were usually bright and pastel. She couldn't believe she was considering the voice's advice. Listening to it was a mistake, she knew that now better than ever. And yet she couldn't tear her eyes away from the mirror. She couldn't stop wondering what was really down in the city she loomed over. With a flash of magic, her coat turned to a lighter, purple color. Then, her flowing, sparkling mane caught her eye. With a thought, she subdued the magic running through it, causing it to droop and return to its light, sky blue shade. She opened her wings as she observed her new look, and realized another oversight. A spell hid her horn, making her appear as a pegasus instead of an Alicorn. That is, a very tall pegasus. A final spell bent the light around her, making her appear smaller. “We look as we did after the Elements saved us,” Luna mused. Was this not subtle enough? What if somepony saw through her disguise? Nopony will recognize you, you oaf, chided the voice. Hardly anypony saw you then, and it has been a year since you've looked that way. You're ready. “If you insist,” Luna said tersely. Before she could think twice, she leapt from her balcony.